Farming courses - anything part-time or online that you can recommend? Could be over three years.

[swanthingafteranother]

Family farm in Ireland needs input. So far it's been let out, other family members are involved etc, and I've lived in London, but I want to know more about forestry, land management, animal husbandry, farming in general and have time at moment to learn more, but I'm not in the right location to learn on the job. Planning in longer term to move back to Ireland in ten years. Already done one degree in totally unrelated subject (English) and have excellent science O'levels (if that helps) Need some form of distance learning and not sure what would be best course to fit in with children and fact I am London based atm.

Anyone learnt farming from scratch in a short time can enlighten me?

Hi,

I farmed for 30 years before a complete change of direction...

I wouldn't be too bothered about formal learning... I'd say the best thing you can do is read! Read widely - monthly mags, journals, agri-college websites often have some great links... and books - there's lots of books to be read!

Also most agricultural colleges do still run evening/weekend short courses - these are aimed at the 'hobby' farmer but may be a good introduction for you.

thanks; after investigating, I've found a smallholding course which runs for 5 weeks, one day a week, from April nearby, which might be a good introduction to some of the issues (obviously though a farm is not a smallholding necessarily!) My father has a vast library on dairy farming/sugar beet ishoos from the seventies(which he draws a veil over), but I think you are right, just reading widely, keeping updated, talking to farmers might be the answer!
Hope your change of direction was a blessing!

I'm a farming girl at heart, from rural Irish farm as well and often wish I could transplant the 80 acres my parents have to over here in middle of Hampshire.

...envy what you are doing, would love to be involved again... But not practical or cost effective. Would love to buy a farm, though never see any for sale.

I think that Harper Adams College might offer some semi-distance courses, where you're on site for a week every term, and do the rest at a distance.

Is this the kind of thing you're looking for? www.harper-adams.ac.uk/postgraduate/118/farm-and-agribusiness-management

thankyou Grendel's Mum